Hulkbusters
Encyclopedia
Hulkbusters is the name of three fiction
al organizations that have appeared in various comic book
series published by Marvel Comics
. All three groups exist within Marvel's shared universe
, known as the Marvel Universe
, and are so-named for their attempts to battle the monstrous Hulk
.
consisting of both U.S. Army and Air Force personnel, whose primary purpose was to capture or if necessary, destroy the Hulk. Their headquarters was the Hulkbuster Base in New Mexico, resembling a Peace Symbol
(also known as Gamma Base), after it was damaged by the Hulk, and they were commanded by General "Thunderbolt" Ross
, General Ryker
and Major Glenn Talbot
. Hulkbuster Base was later demolished by the U-Foes
. After Bruce Banner, the Hulk’s alter-ego, achieved a state in which his normal intelligence and personality remained dominant while in Hulk form, he received a presidential pardon and the Hulkbusters ceased to exist.
While this operation was active, Clay Quartermain
was the S.H.I.E.L.D.
liaison to the Hulkbusters operation.
Gamma Base, located in Death Valley, Nevada, is dedicated to the capturing and curing the Incredible Hulk.
Originally, Gamma Base was Project Greenskin: Hulkbuster Base, it was the base for the Hulkbusters. The US Government shut it down and it was opened again for Bruce Banner's Project: Hulkbuster. When that group broke up, it was shut down again. Once again it was re-opened for the use of Operation: Zero Tolerance.
. Samson persuaded the government to rebuild and finance Gamma Base. There, Samson managed to separate Banner and the Hulk into two distinct beings, although the Hulk was able to escape. Banner was named the leader of this iteration of the Hulkbusters, which first appeared in Incredible Hulk
#317, created by John Byrne (Mar 1986).
Members of this group of Hulkbusters included:
Saunders, Jr. and La Roquette later became Rock and Redeemer, a supervillain team who faced the Hulk on various occasions, after much of Banner's HB team were slain in Hulk's destruction. Rock had an external hide made of deadly minerals which can be used to impale and grow in size. Redeemer had an exoskeletal suit with weapons like repulsar blasters, and rocket fuel. The Leader
later recruited them into "New Freehold" along with the Riot Squad, and haven't been seen since.
brought forth an unexpected consequence: Hulk's rogues' gallery began running wild. As a result, S.H.I.E.L.D.
formed a team called the Hulkbusters to capture these villains and implant them with nanotechnology to nullify their powers. The team was led by Agent Clay Quartermain and members included Agent Cheesecake
, Agent Crimson, and She-Hulk
.
In the Ultimate Marvel
Universe, Hulkbuster teams exist and primarily serve Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. Hulkbuster Units have been used to take down major threats such as Norman Osborn, Harry Osborn
, and Venom
.
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
al organizations that have appeared in various comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. All three groups exist within Marvel's shared universe
Shared universe
A shared universe is a fictional universe to which more than one writer contributes. Work set in a shared universe share characters and other elements with varying degrees of consistency. Shared universes are contrasted with collaborative writing, in which multiple authors work on a single story....
, known as the Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
, and are so-named for their attempts to battle the monstrous Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
.
The U.S. military's Hulkbusters
The original Hulkbusters were a large joint task forceTask force
A task force is a unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. Originally introduced by the United States Navy, the term has now caught on for general usage and is a standard part of NATO terminology...
consisting of both U.S. Army and Air Force personnel, whose primary purpose was to capture or if necessary, destroy the Hulk. Their headquarters was the Hulkbuster Base in New Mexico, resembling a Peace Symbol
Peace symbol
A number of peace symbols have been used in various cultures and contexts, one of the most ancient being the olive branch. The dove and olive branch was used by early Christians and was later adopted as a secular symbol. It was popularised by Pablo Picasso in 1949 and became widely used in the...
(also known as Gamma Base), after it was damaged by the Hulk, and they were commanded by General "Thunderbolt" Ross
Thunderbolt Ross
General Thaddeus E. "Thunderbolt" Ross is a fictional character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as an adversary of the Hulk, sometimes as a supervillain. Ross is a United States military officer, the father of Betty Ross, ex-father in-law of Glenn Talbot and the father in-law...
, General Ryker
John Ryker
General John Ryker is a fictional character, a villain and an enemy of the Hulk in the Marvel Universe. He is obsessed with the Hulk, and tried to make attempts to capture the creature.- Fictional character biography :...
and Major Glenn Talbot
Glenn Talbot
Major Glenn Talbot is a fictional character and an armed villain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created in 1964 and first appeared in Tales To Astonish #61.Talbot appeared in the 2003 film Hulk, portrayed by Josh Lucas....
. Hulkbuster Base was later demolished by the U-Foes
U-Foes
U-Foes are a fictional comic book supervillain team appearing in various series published by Marvel Comics. The group first appeared in Incredible Hulk #254...
. After Bruce Banner, the Hulk’s alter-ego, achieved a state in which his normal intelligence and personality remained dominant while in Hulk form, he received a presidential pardon and the Hulkbusters ceased to exist.
While this operation was active, Clay Quartermain
Clay Quartermain
Clay Quartermain is a fictional character, a secret agent in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-artist Jim Steranko, he first appeared in Strange Tales #163 Clay Quartermain is a fictional character, a secret agent in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-artist Jim Steranko, he...
was the S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
liaison to the Hulkbusters operation.
Gamma Base, located in Death Valley, Nevada, is dedicated to the capturing and curing the Incredible Hulk.
Originally, Gamma Base was Project Greenskin: Hulkbuster Base, it was the base for the Hulkbusters. The US Government shut it down and it was opened again for Bruce Banner's Project: Hulkbuster. When that group broke up, it was shut down again. Once again it was re-opened for the use of Operation: Zero Tolerance.
Banner’s Hulkbusters
After the Hulk reverted to his bestial personality, he was captured by Doc SamsonDoc Samson
Doc Samson is a fictional character, a superhero and psychiatrist in the Marvel Comics universe, known as a supporting character in stories featuring the Hulk.-Publication history:...
. Samson persuaded the government to rebuild and finance Gamma Base. There, Samson managed to separate Banner and the Hulk into two distinct beings, although the Hulk was able to escape. Banner was named the leader of this iteration of the Hulkbusters, which first appeared in Incredible Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
#317, created by John Byrne (Mar 1986).
Members of this group of Hulkbusters included:
- Craig Saunders, Jr. – Demolition expert (later known as Redeemer)
- Carolyn ParmenterCarolyn ParmenterCarolyn Parmenter is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:Carolyn Parmenter was a member of Bruce Banner's Hulkbusters, a team of highly skilled individuals selected to capture and study the Hulk...
– Marine scientist - Samuel J. La Roquette – Explorer (later known as Rock)
- Armand MartelArmand MartelArmand Martel is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:Armand Martel was a member of Bruce Banner's Hulkbusters, a team of highly skilled individuals selected to capture and study the Hulk. Armand is a xeno-biologist specializing in mutant genetics....
– Xenobiologist - Hideko TakataHideko TakataHideko Takata is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:Hideko Takata was a member of Bruce Banner's Hulkbusters, a team of highly skilled individuals selected to capture and study the Hulk. Hideko is an expert in geophysics....
– Professor of geophysics
Saunders, Jr. and La Roquette later became Rock and Redeemer, a supervillain team who faced the Hulk on various occasions, after much of Banner's HB team were slain in Hulk's destruction. Rock had an external hide made of deadly minerals which can be used to impale and grow in size. Redeemer had an exoskeletal suit with weapons like repulsar blasters, and rocket fuel. The Leader
Leader (comics)
The Leader is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #62, and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. In 2009, The Leader was ranked as IGN's 63rd Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.Actor Tim Blake...
later recruited them into "New Freehold" along with the Riot Squad, and haven't been seen since.
S.H.I.E.L.D's Hulkbusters
Hulk's exile from earth by the IlluminatiIlluminati (Marvel Comics)
The Illuminati are a group of comic book superheroes who joined forces and secretly work behind the scenes in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. The group was formed very shortly after the Kree-Skrull War...
brought forth an unexpected consequence: Hulk's rogues' gallery began running wild. As a result, S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
formed a team called the Hulkbusters to capture these villains and implant them with nanotechnology to nullify their powers. The team was led by Agent Clay Quartermain and members included Agent Cheesecake
Agent Cheesecake
Agent Cheescake is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is a Life Model Decoy and operated under S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Clay Quartermain as part of the Hulkbusters...
, Agent Crimson, and She-Hulk
She-Hulk
She-Hulk is a Marvel Comics superheroine. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema, she first appeared in Savage She-Hulk #1 ....
.
Other versions
Ultimate MarvelIn the Ultimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...
Universe, Hulkbuster teams exist and primarily serve Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. Hulkbuster Units have been used to take down major threats such as Norman Osborn, Harry Osborn
Harry Osborn
Harry Osborn is a fictional character, a supporting character of Spider-Man in the . In addition to being Peter Parker's best friend, Harry was the second Green Goblin and is the son of Norman Osborn...
, and Venom
Eddie Brock
Eddie Brock is a fictional character created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane. A comic book supervillain, Brock's earliest appearance is a cameo in Web of Spider-Man #18 before making his first full appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #299 as Venom...
.
Television
- The Hulkbusters were recurring antagonists in the first season of the 1996 animated series The Incredible Hulk as part of Ross' and S.H.I.E.L.D.S.H.I.E.L.D.S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
agent Gabriel JonesGabe JonesGabriel "Gabe" Jones is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby, he made his first appearance in the World War II war comics series Sgt...
to track down Bruce Banner and failed. Dr. Craig Saunders Jr. and Dr. Samuel J. La Roquette (later Rock and Redeemer) were mentioned as members. - The Hulkbusters appear in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest HeroesThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest HeroesThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes is an American animated television series by Marvel Animation in cooperation with Film Roman based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers. The show debuted on Disney XD in Fall 2010 starting with a 20 part micro-series. A second season has been...
.
Video games
- The Hulkbusters appeared in the Hulk 2003 gameHulk (video game)Hulk is a video game based on the 2003 movie of the same name. It was developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Vivendi Games. A signature feature has Eric Bana reprises his role of Bruce Banner...
. They are depicted as military units controlled by General RykerJohn RykerGeneral John Ryker is a fictional character, a villain and an enemy of the Hulk in the Marvel Universe. He is obsessed with the Hulk, and tried to make attempts to capture the creature.- Fictional character biography :...
.
- The Hulkbusters appear in The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate DestructionThe Incredible Hulk: Ultimate DestructionThe Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction is a video game developed by Radical Entertainment and based on Marvel Comics' Hulk. The game was released on August 24, 2005 in the United States and in September 2005 in Europe.-Gameplay:...
as part of General Ross and Director Emil BlonskyAbomination (comics)The Abomination is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics...
's efforts to capture the Hulk. These Hulkbusters are soldiers mentally controlling mechanical armor of varying sizes and capabilities; some missions require the player to recover or destroy prototype technology that will be used on the Hulkbusters to limit the threat that they will pose to the player later in the game.
- Armored Hulkbusters appear in The Incredible HulkThe Incredible Hulk (2008 video game)The Incredible Hulk is a video game based on the Marvel superhero Hulk and the 2008 film. The console versions were released on June 5, 2008 and the PC version was released on June 10, 2008...
video game with two of them voiced by S. Scott BullockS. Scott BullockStuart Scott Bullock , best known as S. Scott Bullock, is an American actor Bullock is best known for his role as Eddy "Edgar" the Jersey Cow in Barnyard: The Original Party Animals and Back at the Barnyard, Mr...
and Chris EdgerlyChris EdgerlyChristopher "Chris" Edgerly is an American actor and voice actor.Edgerly was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, he moved to Savannah, Georgia at the age of two with his mother, and two brothers...
. These suits are identified as StarkTechStark IndustriesIn the fictional world of Iron Man, Stark Industries, later also known as Stark International, Stark Innovations, Stark/Fujikawa, Stark Enterprises and currently Stark Resilient, is a fictional multi-billion dollar corporation owned and run by businessman Anthony Edward "Tony" Stark, also known as...
models. Hulk had to protect the Hulkbuster technology from EnclaveEnclave (comics)The Enclave is a fictional subversive organization of dictatorially-minded scientists featured in comics published by Marvel Comics. The characters are a part of the Marvel Universe.-Fictional organization history:...
and later helps them fight Enclave's F-POD. A Hulkbuster under Major Glenn TalbotGlenn TalbotMajor Glenn Talbot is a fictional character and an armed villain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created in 1964 and first appeared in Tales To Astonish #61.Talbot appeared in the 2003 film Hulk, portrayed by Josh Lucas....
's control was a mini-boss for Hulk until Betty Ross reveals herself to the Hulkbuster. Glenn Talbot also powers a nuclear-powered Hulkbuster armor in his fight with the Hulk. A version of Iron ManIron ManIron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
's Hulkbuster armorIron Man's armorIron Man's armor is the fictional powered exoskeleton worn by the fictional Tony Stark when he assumes his superhero role of Iron Man. The first version of the armor was created by Stark with the help of Ho Yinsen....
appears as a playable secret characterSecret characterA secret character can be a player character or a non-player character in a video game that must be unlocked by completing a goal within the game...
if there is a saved gameSaved gameA saved game is a piece of digitally stored information about the progress of a player in a video game. This saved game can be reloaded later, so the player can continue where he or she had stopped...
for the 2008 Iron ManIron Man (video game)The Nintendo DS, Wii, PS2 and PSP versions all received mixed critical scores on Gamerankings and Metacritic. These versions were generally well received by the fans, but suffer from gameplay, graphics and controls frustrations...
video game present on the same memory card used for The Incredible Hulk.
Novels
- In the novelizationNovelizationA novelization is a novel that is written based on some other media story form rather than as an original work.Novelizations of films usually add background material not found in the original work to flesh out the story, because novels are generally longer than screenplays...
of the 2008 film The Incredible HulkThe Incredible Hulk (film)The Incredible Hulk is a 2008 superhero action film based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk. It is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner. It is the second film to be released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe...
(written by Peter DavidPeter DavidPeter Allen David , often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, movies and video games...
, a noted contributor to the Hulk's comics history), two members of a military strike team sent to capture the Hulk are named "Saunders" and "Laroquette" after members of Banner's Hulkbusters (the characters are unnamed in the theatrical release of the film).